Chapter 4 The Dinner Trap

The restaurant was fancy, there was candlelight with the presence of soft music. Red wine in tall glasses.

Aria walked in like she owned the place.

Heads turned.

But she was only paying attention to one person- Damien.

He stood when he saw her.

His eyes widened.

"You look..." he paused. "Beautiful."

Aria smiled sweetly. "I know."

She sat down, crossed her legs, and opened the menu without looking at him again.

Damien sat too, a little unsure of what to say.

"You always liked this place," he said.

Aria flipped a page. "Not really. You just liked their wine."

He chuckled nervously. "Right."

Silence followed.

Then Aria spoke again. "Why did you do it?"

Damien looked up. "What?"

"Why did you leave me for her?"

Damien sighed. "You want the truth?"

"No," she said sharply. "I want a lie. A beautiful one."

He winced.

"I was stupid. I was greedy. She offered me things-connections, power, a lifestyle. I thought I needed it."

"And me?" she asked. "What was I?"

Damien looked guilty. "You were everything. I just didn't see it back then."

Aria stared at him for a long second.

Then she laughed, soft and short.

"Do you rehearse these lines before coming to break women's hearts, or do they come naturally?"

Damien frowned. "I deserve that."

"Yes," she said. "You do."

Another pause.

But this time, Aria leaned in a little.

"You want to fix things, Damien?"

"Yes."

"You want me back?"

"I do."

Her voice dropped low.

"Then prove it."

He looked confused. "How?"

She smiled.

"Let's play a game."

Damien narrowed his eyes. "What kind of game?"

Aria picked up her wine glass.

"One where you follow my rules. No lies. No secrets. Total honesty. And if you win..." She leaned in, eyes locked on his. "You might earn a second chance."

"And if I lose?"

Her smile deepened.

"Then you lose me forever."

Damien nodded slowly.

"Deal."

"Good," Aria said, raising her glass. "Let the game begin."

As they ate, she asked questions.

Simple ones at first-

"What's your biggest regret?"

"What do you fear the most?"

"Have you ever loved someone so much it scared you?"

He answered all of them.

Truthfully, or so it seemed.

But Aria knew better.

He was still hiding things.

And she'd dig until she found every rotten piece of his soul.

After dinner, he walked her to her car.

"I'll win this game, Aria," he said quietly.

She stepped close to him.

So close their lips were inches apart.

"I hope you try," she whispered. "Because watching you fail will be the sweetest part."

Then she got into the car and left him standing there, confused and breathless.